Integrated circuit device having signal discrimination circuit and method of testing the same

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit device formed on a chip includes a pair of signal input terminals, a signal discriminating circuit having a pair of input terminals coupled to the signal input terminals, for comparing a data signal and a reference signal supplied through the input terminals and for determining whether or not the level of said data signal is higher than that of said reference signal, a pair of test signal terminals to which a predetermined voltage is applied, and a voltage dividing circuit for dividing the predetermined voltage to thereby generate a test signal to be supplied to the signal discriminating circuit through the input terminals.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07/429,501, filedOct. 31, 1989.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an integrated circuit devicehaving a signal discrimination circuit, and more particularly to animprovement in testing the signal discrimination circuit by use of avery small voltage. Further, the present invention relates to a methodof testing the integrated circuit device.

An integrated circuit device having a signal discrimination circuit isknown. For example, a signal discrimination circuit is formed by anemitter coupled logic circuit which determines an output logic based onthe potential relationship between a pair of input signals, namely adata signal and a reference signal. When testing such a signaldiscrimination circuit, it is required to supply the signaldiscrimination circuit with a pair of test signals having a very smallpotential difference.

When testing a signal discrimination circuit as described above in astep of production of an integrated circuit device having the signaldiscrimination circuit, an automatic IC tester having a power sourcedevice for use in test, such as a "4145B" tester marketed by YHP or a"T3340" tester marketed by Advantest typically is used. The automatic ICtester can generate a pair of test signals having a very small potentialdifference. The generated test signals are applied to input terminals ofthe signal discrimination circuit, and logic levels derived from thesignal discrimination circuit are monitored. Then it is determinedwhether the signal discrimination circuit can operate correctly on thebases of the monitored logic levels.

The aforementioned IC tester "4145B" has the following specification:

(i voltage range: ±20 V

ii) precision: ±(0.1% +10 mV +0.4Ω×Io) where Io is an output current.The aforementioned IC tester "T3340" has the following specification:

    ______________________________________                                        i) voltage range:                                                                          ±2 V, ±8 V                                                 ii) precision: for                                                                         ±2 V,                                                                      ± (0.2% + 2 mV + 0.6 mV/10 mA)                                for          ±8 V                                                                       ± (0.2% + 4 mV + 0.6 mV/10 mA)                                ______________________________________                                    

However, the aforementioned method of testing by such testers has thefollowing disadvantages. The very small test signals are directlysupplied to the input terminals of the signal discrimination circuit tobe tested. Thus, the test is influenced by any absolute error of thepower source device built in the IC tester. Generally, the absoluteerror of the typical power source device is approximately equal to 2 mV.This value of the absolute error is substantially constant andindependent of the magnitude of the output voltage derived from thepower source device. When it is assumed that the output voltage derivedfrom the power source device is equal to 10 mV, the ratio of theabsolute error to the output voltage is 20% (=(2 mV/10 mV)×100%). Thus,the testing precision is subject to a 20% error. It is noted that even ahighly regulated power source device contains an absolute error in theoutput signal, without exception. For this reason, when such a powersource device is used in a very narrow voltage range, the ratio of theabsolute error to the output is large and thus the testing precision ispoor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide anintegrated circuit device having a signal discrimination circuit inwhich the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide anintegrated circuit device having a signal discrimination circuit inwhich there is provided a circuit which makes it possible to test thesignal discrimination circuit with higher precision.

The above objects of the present invention can be achieved by anintegrated circuit device formed on a chip including a pair of signalinput terminals, a signal discriminating circuit, having an associatedpair of input terminals respectively coupled to the pair of signal inputterminals, for comparing a data signal and a reference signal suppliedthrough the pair of signal input terminals and for determining whetheror not the level of said data signal is higher than that of saidreference signal, a pair of test signal terminals across which apredetermined voltage is applied, and a voltage dividing circuit fordividing the predetermined voltage and thereby generating a test signalwhich is applied to the signal discriminating circuit through theassociated pair of input terminals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method oftesting the aforementioned integrated circuit device.

This object of the present invention can be achieved by a method oftesting an integrated circuit device having the aforementioned structureformed on a chip, comprising the steps of connecting the voltagedividing circuit and the signal discrimination circuit through aswitching means, supplying the pair of test signal terminals with afirst pair of test signals forming a first potential difference,supplying the signal discriminating circuit with a second pair of testsignals having a second voltage difference derived from the voltagedividing means, determining whether the signal discriminating meanscorrectly discerns whether one of the second pair of test signals ishigher than the other test signal, and disconnecting the voltagedividing circuit from the signal discriminating circuit by the switchingmeans.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofgenerating a pair of signals having a very small potential difference.

This object of the present invention is achieved by a method comprisingthe steps of applying a first pair of signals to a pair of signal inputterminals of an integrated circuit device 1 which includes signaldiscriminating means which is provided with a data signal and areference signal and functions for determining whether the level of thedata signal is higher than that of the reference signal or not andvoltage dividing means which produces a first potential difference bydividing the first pair of signals applied thereto through the pair ofsignal input terminals, deriving a second pair of signals having asecond potential difference less than the first potential differencefrom the voltage dividing means, and supplying the second pair ofsignals to the signal discriminating means.

Additional objects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a signal discrimination circuit used inthe circuit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a variation of the second embodimentshown in FIG. 3:

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a fourth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fifth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are block diagrams of first, second and thirdexamples of a switch circuit used in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG 10 is a circuit diagram of a variation of the sixth embodiment shownin FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description is given of a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with reference to FIGS.1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, a signal discrimination circuit 1 discriminates avery small signal (data signal) from a signal applied thereto togetherwith a reference signal through signal lines L1 and L2 connected to apair of signal input terminals (pads) 2 and 3 mounted on an edge of achip 10, respectively. For example, the signal discrimination circuit 1is provided in an integrated circuit for use in communications. Anexample of the structure for the signal discrimination circuit 1 isillustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the signal discrimination circuit 1 is formed by anemitter-coupled logic circuit, which includes emitter-coupledtransistors T1, T2, an emitter-follower output transistor T3,emitter-follower input transistors T4, T5, resistors R1, R2, R3, R4 andR5, and a constant current source I₁. The signal discrimination circuit1 sets its output logic to "H (high)" level when a pair of signalsapplied to the respective input terminals A and B thereof have thepotential relationship of A >B. On the other hand, the signaldiscrimination circuit 1 sets its output logic to "L (low)" level whenthe signals applied to the terminals A and B have the potentialrelationship of A<B. Normally, one of the signals applied to theterminals A and B is a reference level (signal), and the other signal isa which is compared with the reference level signal in order todetermine whether the data level to be compared is equal to or higherthan the reference level. In FIG.l, the input terminal A is providedwith the data signal, and the input terminal B is provided with thereference level signal. Alternatively, the input terminals A and B maybe supplied with the reference level signal and the data signal,respectively. The signal discrimination circuit 1 is supplied with apositive power source V_(CCa) and a negative source power V_(EEa).

Turning to FIG. 1, signal lines L1a and L2a branch from the signal linesL1 and L2, respectively. The signal lines L1a and L2a are connected tothe emitters of transistors T11 and T12, respectively. The collectors ofthe transistors T11 and T12 are connected to a positive power sourceV_(CC), and the bases thereof are connected to the respective, oppositeends of a resistor Ra. The resistor Ra forms a resistor network NWtogether with resistors Rb and Rc. The opposite ends of the resistornetwork NW are connected to respective signal lines L3 and L4, which areconnected to a pair of test signal terminals (pads) 5 and 6,respectively mounted on the edge of the chip 10. The resistor network NWand the transistors T11 and T12 form a voltage divider circuit 4.

In operation, the aforementioned IC tester is connected to the testsignal terminals 5 and 6, and applies a test voltage E_(T) across theterminals 5 and 6, defined by a test data signal and a test referencelevel signal . The applied test voltage E_(T) is divided by theresistors Ra, Rb and Rc of the resistor network NW. When Ra =1, and Rb=Rc =4.5, the voltage division ratio is 10:1. Thus, a voltage of ERa(=E_(T) /10) appears across the resistor Ra. The potential of an end(node) N1 of the resistor Ra is applied to the signal line L1a throughthe base and emitter of the transistor T11. Similarly, the potential ofthe other end (node) N2 of the resistor Ra is applied to the signal lineL1b through the base and emitter of the transistor T12. When thecharacteristics of the transistor T11 are the same as those of thetransistor T12, the voltage difference between the signal lines L1a andL2a is equal to the aforementioned voltage ERa. The signaldiscrimination circuit 1 determines its output logic in accordance withthat voltage difference.

It is now considered that a very small voltage equal to 10 mV is appliedto the device in order to test the signal discrimination circuit 1.Assuming that the voltage division ratio of the resistor network NW is10:1 as described previously, the IC tester is adjusted so as to output100 mV (=10 mV×10). For example, when the IC tester has a 0.1% ratingerror and an absolute error of 2 mV, the 10 mV test signal derivedtherefrom has a total error ΔV equal to 2.01 mV (=10 mV×0.1% +2 mV),which corresponds to a 20% error. On the other hand, the 100 mV testsignal derived from the IC tester has the total error ΔV equal to 0.21mV (=2.1/10), which corresponds to a 2% error. That is, the test signalcan be selected by the voltage division ratio of the resistor network NWso that the test signal is of a voltage higher than the very smallvoltage necessary for test. It follows that the ratio of absolute errorto the test signal output can relatively be reduced. Thus, the verysmall voltage test signal to be applied to the input terminals A and Bof the signal discrimination circuit 1 can be made more precise than theconventional small voltage test signal which is derived from the ICtester and supplied directly to the signal discrimination circuit 1.

One may feel concern about a change of input impedance of the signaldiscrimination circuit 1 due to the presence of the resistor network NW.However, there is no need of such apprehension because the base-emitterjunctions of the transistors T11 and T12 are interposed between theresistor network NW and the signal discrimination circuit 1 in thereverse direction. Additionally, the presence of the transistors T11 andT12 makes it possible to determine the voltage division ratio on thebasis of only the resistors Ra, Rb and Rc, and thus without taking intoaccount the input impedance of the signal discrimination circuit 1.

It should be appreciated that the test signal applied to the test signalterminals 5 and 6 is very much larger than the conventional test signal.Such a large test signal is less influenced by noise which is presentaround signal cables extending from the IC tester.

It is preferable that the resistors Ra, Rb and Rc are formed bydiffusion resistors. In actuality, a plurality of diffusion resistorsare formed on the chip 10, and some of the diffusion resistors are usedfor forming the resistor Ra, and some of the diffusion resistors areused for forming the resistor Rb. Similarly, some of the diffusionresistors are used for forming the resistor Rc. It is to be noted thateach of the diffusion resistances has almost the same error inresistance since those resistors are produced at the same time by thesame process. It is to be further noted that the voltage ERa obtainedacross the resistor Ra is based on the voltage division ratio by theresistor network and therefore errors in resistance of the resistors Ra,Rb and Rc are cancelled. Thereby, the voltage ERa contains less error.Alternatively, polysilicon resistors can be used for forming theresistors Ra, Rb and Rc.

A description is given of a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with reference to FIG. 3. An essential feature of the secondembodiment is that the emitters of the transistors T11 and T12 areconnected to a negative power source V_(EE) through resistors R11 andR12, respectively. The second embodiment is effective in the case wherethe input impedance of the signal discrimination circuit 1 isconsiderably low. A configuration shown in FIG. 4 is particularlyeffective in the case where the input impedance of the signaldiscrimination circuit 1 is extremely low. Referring to FIG. 4,transistors T21, T22, and resistors R21 and R22 are added to theconfiguration of FIG. 3 so that emitter follower circuits are cascadedby two stages for each of the signal lines L1a and L2a.

In the first and second embodiments, the power sources V_(CC) and V_(EE)may be identical to or different from the power sources V_(CCa) andV_(EEa), respectively.

When V_(CC) >V_(CCa) and V_(EEa) <V_(EEa), it is possible to set thetest signal voltages higher than V_(CCa) and V_(EEa). This setting ofthe test signal voltages is desirable in view of test environments.

A description is given of a third embodiment with reference to FIG. 5,in which those parts which are the same as those in the previous figuresare identified by the same reference numerals. The third embodiment issuitable for a case where the signal discrimination circuit 1 has alarge input impedance. The third embodiment is especially effective inthe case of a signal discrimination circuit 1 which includes anemitter-coupled logic circuit, such as the signal discrimination circuit1 shown in FIG. 2. The third embodiment is formed by eliminating thetransistors T11 and T12 from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 andconnecting the ends of the resistor Ra directly to the input terminals Aand B of the signal discrimination circuit 1. In the third embodiment,the voltage applied between the input terminals A and B of the signaldiscrimination circuit 1 is based on the values of the resistors Ra, Rband Rc. It is necessary to set the resistance of the resistor Ra to avalue considerably smaller than the input impedance between the inputterminals A and B of the signal discrimination circuit 1.

Table 1 shows values of essential parameters in the third embodiment.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Ra      Rb     Rc       R1   R2     R3   I.sub.1                              ______________________________________                                        10Ω                                                                             45Ω                                                                            45Ω                                                                              450Ω                                                                         450Ω                                                                           2 kΩ                                                                         2 mA                                 ______________________________________                                    

A description is given of a fourth embodiment of the present inventionwith reference to FIG. 6, in which those parts that are the same asthose shown in the previous figures have the same reference numerals. Anessential feature of the fourth embodiment is that transistors T11 andT31 are Darlington connected, and transistors T12 and T32 are Darlingtonconnected. The darlington connection is used for minimizing the currentdrawn from the resistor network NW so that the divided voltage generatedacross the resistor Ra is not influenced. The collectors of thetransistors T11 and T31 are connected to ground, and the collectors ofthe transistors T12 and T32 are connected to ground. Pads P1 and P6correspond to the aforementioned terminals 5 and 6, respectively. PadsP2 and P3 correspond to the aforementioned terminal 2. Pads P4 and P5correspond to the aforementioned terminal 3. The signal discriminationcircuit 1 shown in FIG. 6 includes transistors T4 and T5 and resistorsR6 through R9. The resistors R6 and R7 are connected to the base of thetransistor T4, and the resistors R8 and R9 are connected to the base ofthe transistor T5.

The transistors T4 and T5 form a current switch. The signaldiscrimination circuit 1 of the fourth embodiment is tested so as tofind characteristics exhibited in a state which slightly deviates from astate where the transistors T4 and T5 pass the same current. In testing,a voltage of 1.01 V, for example, is applied between the pads Pl and P6,producing a very small voltage of 0.01 V across resistor Ra, whichvoltage is applied to the bases of the transistors T4 and T5 through thetransistors T11, T31, T12 and T32 and the pads P2-P5. Thereby, thesignal discrimination circuit 1 can be tested by a very small voltage of0.01 V. In this case, Rb=Rc=500Ω, Ra=10Ω, R6=R8=150Ω, and R7=R9=160Ω.Further, the potential of the node (connection) of the resistors Rb andRa is equal to -0.5 V, and the potential of the node of the resistors Raand Rc is equal to -0.51 V. Moreover, the potentials of the bases of thetransistors T4 and T5 are equal to -1.9 V and -1.91 V, respectively.

It is noted that in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the voltagedivider circuit 4, including the resistor network NW is connected in aconventional arrangement in which the signal discrimination circuit 1processes data supplied thereto through the signal input terminals 2 and3. In this case, the parasitic capacitance of the voltage dividercircuit 4, viewed from the signal input terminals 2 and 3, is coupled tothe input terminals A and B of the signal discrimination circuit 1.Therefore, there is a possibility that the parasitic capacitanceprevents the signal discrimination circuit 1 from operating at highspeeds. The fifth embodiment is intended to overcome this problem.

A description is given of the fifth embodiment of the present inventionwith reference to FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7, the voltage dividercircuit 4 is coupled to the signal discrimination circuit 1 through aswitch circuit 13. When the signal discrimination circuit 1 is tested,the switch circuit 13 (SW) connects the voltage divider circuit 4 to thesignal discrimination circuit 1. On the other hand, in the ordinarymode, the switch circuit 13 keeps the voltage divider circuit 4disconnected from the signal discrimination circuit 1.

A first example of the switch circuit 13 shown in FIG. 7 is illustratedin FIG. 8A. Referring to FIG. 8A, the switch circuit 13 is formed by aswitch 13a. A first contact of the switch 13a is connected between thesignal input terminal 2 and a terminal 14 to which the voltage dividercircuit 4 is connected. A second contact of the switch 13a is connectedbetween the signal input terminal 3 and a terminal 15 to which thevoltage divider circuit 4 is connected. In the test mode, the first andsecond contacts of the switch 13a are closed.

A second example of the switch circuit shown in FIG. 7 is illustrated inFIG. 8B. Referring to FIG. 8B, the switch circuit 13 is formed by a pairof fuses 13b. After the signal discrimination circuit 1 is tested, thefuses 13a are melted by passing current from the terminals 5 and 6 sothat the voltage division circuit 4 is disconnected from the signaldiscrimination circuit 1.

A third example of the switch circuit 13 is illustrated in FIG. 8C.Referring to FIG. 8C, the switch circuit 13 is formed by a pair of FET(MOS) transistors 13c. The gates of the FET transistors 13c areconnected to terminals 16 and 17, and the remaining terminals thereofare connected between the voltage divider circuit 4 and the signaldiscrimination circuit 1. In the test mode, gate signals are applied tothe terminals 16 and 17 so that the FET transistors 13c pass signalsfrom the voltage division circuit 4 to the signal discrimination circuit1.

A description is given of a sixth embodiment of the present inventionwith reference to FIG. 9. The sixth embodiment is an improvement of thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The sixth embodiment is configured byproviding resistors R30 and R31 between the bases and emitters of thetransistors T11 and T12 of the first embodiment, respectively. Thecombination of the transistor T11 and the resistor R30 functions as aprotection element against electrostatic breakdown. Similarly, thecombination of the transistor T12 and the resistor R11 functions as aprotection element against electrostatic breakdown. Of course, thetransistors T11 and T12 provide the original function as describedpreviously with reference to FIG. 1.

When a high voltage due to a positive charge is applied to the signalinput terminal 2 (data), the applied charge passes through the signalline L1, the resistor R30, the base and collector of the transistor T11and the power source Vcc in this order so that the signal discriminationcircuit 1 is protected from high voltage. The transistor T12 and theresistor R31 operate in the same manner when a high voltage is appliedto the signal input terminal 3 (reference). In this case, a chargepasses through the signal line L2, the resistor R31, the base andcollector of the transistor T12 and the power source Vcc in this order.

When a high voltage due to a negative charge is applied to the terminal2, a high voltage is applied between the collector and base of thetransistor T11 through the resistor R30, the line L1 and the terminal 2.Thereby, the collector-base junction of the transistor T11 is brokendown so that a base current passes through the transistor T11. Thereby,the transistor T11 is turned ON, which increases the potential of theline L1 up to the power source potential Vcc. In this manner, the signaldiscrimination circuit 1 is protected from high voltages due to negativecharges. The transistor T12 and the resistor R31 operate in the samemanner when a high voltage due to a negative charge is applied to theterminal 3.

A variation of the sixth embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. An essentialfeature of the variation is that Schottky diodes D1 and D2 are providedas shown in FIG. 10. The anode and cathode of the Schottky diode D1 areconnected to the base of the transistor T11 and the resistor R30,respectively. The anode and cathode of the Schottky diode D2 areconnected to the base of the transistor T12 and the resistor R31,respectively. The Schottky diodes D1 and D2 help the transistors T11 andT12 turn ON with ease when a high voltage due to a negative charge isapplied to the terminals 2 and 3.

The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments,and variations and modifications may be made without departing from thescope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit device formed on a chip andhaving first and second power source terminals for connection torespective first and second power sources, the first power sourcesupplying a ground potential reference comprising:a first signal inputterminal or receiving a data signal and a second signal input terminalfor receiving a reference signal, the data and reference signalsdefining respective potential differences relative to the groundpotential reference; signal discriminating means, connected to the firstand second power source terminals and having third and fourth signalinput terminals respectively coupled to said first and second signalinput terminals, for respectively receiving and comparing said datasignal and said reference signal, as received by said first and secondsignal input terminals, and for determining whether or not the level ofsaid data signal, relative to the ground potential reference, is higherthan the level of said reference signal, relative to the groundpotential reference; voltage dividing means, connected between the firstand second power supply terminals and having fifth and sixth inputterminals respectively receiving test data and test reference signalsdefining respective potential differences relative to the groundpotential reference, the test data and test reference signals having aselected voltage difference therebetween and defining a first voltagedifference test signal across said fifth and sixth input terminals andhaving first and second output terminals respectively coupled to saidthird and fourth signal input terminals of said signal discriminatingmeans, for producing a second voltage difference test signal which issmaller by a selected ratio as defined by said voltage dividing meansthan said first voltage difference test signal across said first andsecond output terminals, said second voltage difference test signalbeing supplied to said third and fourth signal input terminals of saidsignal discriminating means; and switching means, connected between saidvoltage dividing means and said associated, second pair of inputterminals of said signal discriminating means, for selectively supplyingsaid test signal to said signal discrimination means.
 2. An integratedcircuit device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching meanscomprises a switch having two selectively closeable contactsrespectively connected between said pair of nodes of said voltagedividing means and said associated, second pair of input terminals ofsaid signal discriminating means.
 3. An integrated circuit device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said switching means comprises a pair offuses respectively connected between said pair of nodes of said voltagedividing means and said associated, second pair of input terminals ofsaid signal discriminating means.
 4. An integrated circuit device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said switching means comprises:first andsecond transistor gates respectively connected between said pair ofnodes of said voltage dividing means and said associated, second pair ofinput terminals of said signal discriminating means; and means forapplying gate signals to said first and second transistors to test thesignal discriminating means.